Sapulpa To Vote On Mask Ordinance; Mandate In Place In Tulsa, Jenks

Other cities are now considering mask mandates following Tuesday night's city council vote in Jenks.

Jenks became the second city in the Tulsa metro to require face coverings in public.

Sapulpa Mayor Craig Henderson said he hopes Sapulpa city council members will pass a mask ordinance November 16 after a similar attempt failed in July.

"We're not looking to be the mask police,” said Henderson. “We're just asking people to be responsible and kind of take the lead of other businesses that are already doing it."

Most residents and businesses around Downtown Sapulpa said they wouldn't mind a mask mandate. Terri Fain, owner of The Heart of Route 66 Vintage Market, said she'll do whatever it takes to keep her business open.

"With us just buying this business in November and already went through one shutdown, it's a miracle that we're still here," said Fain.

Since Jenks joined Tulsa in having a mask mandate this week, more cities could feel the pressure to mask up.

Mayor GT Bynum said in Tuesday’s news conference to update on the city’s COVID-19 response, Bynum said still can't find a good policy-based explanation for why people wouldn't wear masks.

"I love personal responsibility and freedom,” said Bynum. “I spent months encouraging people to do this before we found that it was necessary to have an ordinance in place." 

Over in Sand Springs, city councilor Mike Burdge said he wears a mask everywhere, but he worries enforcement will be a challenge if a mask mandate passes in his city. Burdge said the councilors will discuss it at the November 16 meeting like they do at every meeting.

"I'm certain that there will be pressure,” said Burdge. “As far as I'm concerned, I've never been so much about doing like everybody else does. That's why I say we'll look at the numbers."

Mayor Brian Guthrie of Bixby told News On 6 he will release a statement at his November 12 State of the City address.

The City of Glenpool shared this statement: "We are still awaiting the local hospitalization data as promised in last week’s regional meeting. We will evaluate that data once we have it, and we may consider other actions at that time.”

Other cities in the Tulsa metro did not respond to News On 6’s requests for comment.